Avivo XCode in action!

[fanbanlo]

http://www.chip.de/artikel/c1_artikel_17670022.html

The results are (to say the least) impressive: The Avivo XCode beta transcoded the video clips about five times faster than Microsoft’s encoder (!), with the chosen quality level showing no significant impact: Comparing the picture quality, clarity and smoothness of the converted clips, even our codec specialists couldn’t identify any visual difference.

[Mr.X]

Anyone have one of the new ATI X1x00 cards?

Here's a beta of the software: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2645&p=5

Give it a try and let us know the results!

[fanbanlo]

you know it is now hacked and don't need X1x00 anymore right???

http://www.elitebastards.com/page.php?pageid=13054

so try it for yourself.

[optikhog]

Hey, wow! The hacked version works incredibly well on my nVidia-based system as well. A 1 hour show compressed via Divx Compatible mode in 20 minutes.

[Scotto]

Hey, Im interested in checking Avivo out. ..but that link to elite is down. Know of any other links to that download?

[optikhog]

http://rapidshare.de/files/9479567/Avivo.rar.html

[Scotto]

thanks for the link. quick too.

[Scotto]

wow, that compresses quick. around 8 minutes for a half hour show. played great on the ipod.

[optikhog]

Yes, it's quite quick, altho the quality seems to be lacking in the final vid, which I guess is to be expected.

[nanook105]

It does convert quickly, but the resulting file sizes are a lot larger than I expected. I converted a file using this tool and the divx creater for comparison. The source file was 3.8 gb and produced a 2.7GB file with this tool while divx creator produced a 1.8GB file. In both cases, I used a quality of one less then the best quality, so I think (but am not sure) I am comparing apples to apples.

[optikhog]

Yes, using Windows Media as the format, the resulting file for me on one try was actually bigger than the source MPEG-2 file. I've mostly played with the DivX-compatible format, tho.

One thing I have notice is that the files created by this tool and the files created by Showsqueeze are very similar in size/quality. Using the DivX 6 compressor is still my fave for best size/quality going forward...

[nanook105]

Originally Posted by optikhog

One thing I have notice is that the files created by this tool and the files created by Showsqueeze are very similar in size/quality. Using the DivX 6 compressor is still my fave for best size/quality going forward...

Interesting - I'll have to Showsqueeze that same file to see if my results are similar. I also am starting to like the Divx6 converter, but the files aren't playable in BTV or BM (they have an extension of divx instead of avi). If I rename them to .avi, they play fine.

[optikhog]

Originally Posted by nanook105

I also am starting to like the Divx6 converter, but the files aren't playable in BTV or BM (they have an extension of divx instead of avi). If I rename them to .avi, they play fine.

Yah, I just wrote a batch file which renames all of the files in my default movies folder from .divx to .avi and copies them to my networked movies drive. That way I simply let the compressor run overnight on my local machine and can push everything out first thing in the morning with a double-click.

Of course, I have to use the (awesome) show editor program to get the show info back into the files but the extra work is worth the effort for movies I grab from HBO/Starz/etc.

BTW, it looks like the next point release of the DivX 6 compressor actually comes with settings:
http://labs.divx.com/archives/000071.html

[Rich A]

Originally Posted by optikhog

Yah, I just wrote a batch file which renames all of the files in my default movies folder from .divx to .avi and copies them to my networked movies drive. That way I simply let the compressor run overnight on my local machine and can push everything out first thing in the morning with a double-click.

Of course, I have to use the (awesome) show editor program to get the show info back into the files but the extra work is worth the effort for movies I grab from HBO/Starz/etc.

BTW, it looks like the next point release of the DivX 6 compressor actually comes with settings:
http://labs.divx.com/archives/000071.html

I've been playing with the latest Divx codec ( 6.1 ) and it is pretty good. They've also got dual core processor enabled. A one hour dvd quality show compressed to the high res. theater mode divx was running at 50 to 60 fps. That's almost twice real time speed! The new stand alone converter sounds great. I think I'll try the beta and see ... thanks for the info ..

[tremor_tj]

Originally Posted by nanook105

It does convert quickly, but the resulting file sizes are a lot larger than I expected. I converted a file using this tool and the divx creater for comparison. The source file was 3.8 gb and produced a 2.7GB file with this tool while divx creator produced a 1.8GB file. In both cases, I used a quality of one less then the best quality, so I think (but am not sure) I am comparing apples to apples.

It can't be an apples to apples comparison if you're going on some generic quality setting. That's an arbitrary setting at best, defined by the person/group making the program.

To get a real comparison, you'll need to set it and look to see the difference in bit rate. For example, I noticed the default (I think, I'm at work, can't remember for sure) bit rate for h264 video was 4096 kbs. That will produce a much larger file than an mpeg-4 (divx compatible) whose default bit rate may be 1500 kbs (this one I don't remember for sure, as I was testing h264 speed).

So, check your bit rates. If they are similar, then you have a real comparison. If it turns out you're losing too much quality using Avivo, you have to weigh it against speed increases and such.